Tony Konkol to be named next Oregon City manager

In whats been called the best unkept secret in Oregon City, Tony Konkol is set to become the next city manager this Wednesday.

Konkol has served as interim city manager since August, when elected city commissioners put former manager David Frasher on administrative leave. Konkol had previously served the city as a community development director for five years, starting nearly 15 years ago in Oregon City as an assistant planner immediately following graduate school.

After Frasher was fired in October, City Commission launched a national search for a new leader. Finalists included Tony O'Rourke, former city manager of Yakima, Wash., and Craig Ward, city administrator/manager of Troutdale, Ore.

Konkol said in managing the planning department, he has had to coordinate nearly every department in the city. He was the city manager pro-tem when OCPD Reserve Officer Robert Libke was murdered in 2013 and when the city called for the evacuation of several apartment buildings due to landslides in December.

One of the concerns thats been brought up is that Ive never been a city manager before, but I would also say that with the experiences Ive had, I think I have experience that very few city managers in Oregon have had, Konkol said. Ive demonstrated my leadership skills, my ability the make decisions and my ability to continue to keep this city running while we have major, significant events occurring.

At the Feb. 17 City Commission meeting, commissioners are expected to approve a monthly salary of $11,667 for Konkol. Not in the draft agreement is a more than $400,000 severance package that commissioners refused to give Frasher; Konkols severance package is for a maximum of six-months salary.